THE FOLIO SOCIETY

A Glorious Edition of the Finest Narrative Ever Published of the Civil War

The history of the American Civil War has been told many times, but no author has matched Shelby Foote’s critically acclaimed ‘narrative’ history. He plunges the reader into the chaos of preparations, terrifying battles and forced marches, immersing us in the tension of debate and the passion of powerful orators. Exhaustively researched and verified from a plethora of diaries, letters and reports, this magnificent work has won Shelby Foote plaudits across the world.

Fort Sumter to Perryville

As Jefferson Davis resigned from the Senate and Abraham Lincoln departed Springfield for Washington, these two great and opposing leaders were now taking the steps that would inevitably lead to civil war. Foote describes not only the great opening salvos of the war, from Bull Run to Antietam and Perryville in the fall of 1862, but also the smaller and often equally important engagements on both land and sea.

Fredericksburg to Meridian

When the Army of the Potomac attempted to take Richmond with a series of frontal assaults, it resulted in staggering casualties and led only to a hollow victory for the South with Stonewall Jackson killed in the battle of Chancellorsville. Lee pressed on to invade the North but was repulsed at Gettysburg – a turning point in the war, here described as it really was, before it became distorted by controversy and remembered glory.

Red River to Appomattox

The narrative here moves as swiftly as Sherman marched to the sea, devastating Georgia and the Carolinas as he went. This is a moving account of the major battles, sieges and raids that led to the final collapse of the Confederate cause and Lee’s surrender at Appomattox. Lincoln’s assassination and the capture of Jefferson Davis followed soon afterwards, as did the long coda of reconciliation and reconstruction.